Once dubbed freight handler to the nation, Chicago may not be the transportation hub of generations past but it’s still as much a hub of culture as it ever was. When you deplane at Chicago O’Hare International Airport, you’ll find yourself on the northwestern-most edge of the city and Cook County—call or rent a car or hop on the Blue Line of the CTA’s “L” to get yourself into the action.
The Loop, Restaurant Row, the Museum Campus, and the Magnificent Mile are likely all places that have been suggested as destinations during your visit. That’s with good reason—there’s plenty to see, do, and eat! But these tourist favorites are just that. Want to see real Chicago? Explore one of the 77 designated communities in the City of Neighborhoods to get a taste of what Chi-Town is like for a real Chicagoan (who would not actually call it Chi-Town). From Uptown and Andersonville to Hyde Park and Archer Heights, plenty of vibrant local and transplanted culture awaits, whether you drive or take advantage of public transit.
Quintessential, can’t-miss Chicago includes indulging in some of the city’s most famous foods. Italian beef, thin-crust tavern-cut pizza, and all-beef hot dogs covered in veggies (but never, ever ketchup) are Chicagoland classics but generations of immigrant communities have brought foods and flavors from far and wide to the city’s gastronomic landscape. Hungry for more? Explore the city’s past and present at the Chicago History Museum, the Chicago Cultural Center, and the Chicago Architecture Center. Depending on the time of year, you may be able to visit a vibrant street festival or catch a Broadway show that’s also in town. Looking for laughs? Stand-up and improv comedy are both exceptionally popular there—find an open mic and you might catch an up-and-comer.
Book your next flight to Chicago (O’Hare) with Southwest Airlines and get ready to see what Chicagoland has to offer. Southwest flies to Chicago O’Hare International Airport often, making planning your next visit convenient. And when you book with Southwest, you can book with confidence, knowing that the process will be straightforward from flight selection to checkout. Of course, having a memorable trip is about more than finding a great deal on a flight. Learn more about the Southwest® Experience and book your upcoming flight to Chicago (O’Hare).
Details about Chicago O'Hare International Airport.
Airport code:ORD
City:Chicago
State:Illinois
Terminal 5
M Gates
Airport-provided WiFi
Cities with weekly flights to ORD
112*
Cities with daily nonstop flights Monday through Friday to ORD
7†
Cities with daily nonstop flights Saturday through Sunday to ORD
8‡
*Weekly flights based on DOT published scheduled average flights Monday through Sunday between 3/1/2025 and 3/31/2025. Note: route may not operate every day of the week.
†Nonstop flights based on DOT published scheduled average flights Monday through Friday between 3/1/2025 and 3/31/2025.
‡Nonstop flights based on DOT published scheduled average flights Saturday through Sunday between 3/1/2025 and 3/31/2025.
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